Dimond Newsletter
January 28, 2025
Dear Dimond Families:
The 2025 School Climate and Connectedness Survey for families is now open. We value your feedback to help us understand how to partner with you in the high school education of your child(ren), and create meaningful goals for Dimond students, staff and families. The survey is shorter than past years, and will only take a few moments of your time. Your responses are confidential. The survey will remain available until March 21st. We hope to reach 90% participation among all our stakeholders this year. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us!
Click here to to take the survey: School Climate and Connectedness Survey
Warm Regards,
Principal D’Atri
New News For this Week's Newsletter
Hello From the Dimond Counseling Office!
Course selection for next school year will begin Tuesday, January 28th with current juniors. Students will request their classes by filling out a worksheet and will be able to see their requests in their Q Student Connect account. Counselors will meet with students during English classes, by grade. Once counselors enter course requests in Q, they will be viewable by students and parents.
Keep in mind as students make their choices that these are requests. Schedules will be available at a date to be announced in August. Course selections are subject to change.
Full time ASD Virtual students: Contact your counselor if you would like to attend an in-person presentation at DHS or schedule a time to talk with your counselor regarding course selection.
Students will be able to make changes to their requests by contacting their counselor.
Here are the registration windows. More specific information will be posted for each class as we start this process.
Current juniors (class of 2026) Jan. 28-31
Current sophomores (class of 2027) Feb. 4-14
Current freshmen (class of 2028) Feb. 19-24
Incoming 8th graders (class of 2029) TBA, more info to follow
Freshman Fair, March 19th at 6pm
Visit our google doc folder for more information. As always, feel free to reach out to your counselor with any questions.
The Dimond Counseling Team
A-C Mr. Hulbert
E-K Mrs. Jaasma
L-Q Mrs. Zock
R-Z Mr. Mandel
Freshmen Mr. Hallis
Sadie Hawkins and Spirit Olympics!
SPIRIT WEEK- Monday February 3rd through Friday February 7th.
Monday: Formal vs PJs (Formal Attire: button-ups, tuxedos, dresses, slacks, etc. vs. PJs: onesies, etc.)
Tuesday: Disney vs. Nickelodeon (Dress as any Disney character or Nickelodeon character)
Wednesday: Rappers vs Singers (Dress as your favorite rapper or singer)
Thursday: Generation vs. Generation (Freshman = Babies, Sophomore = Toddlers, Juniors = Adults, and Seniors = Senior citizens, Staff = Teenagers).
Friday: Class Colors (Wear your class colors!)
No sunglasses (can be worn on head), you must follow dress code regulations
2025 SPIRIT OLYMPICS- May the most spirited class win the 12th Annual Spirit Olympics!
On February 7th, we will have an assembly where classes compete in fun games.
We have some classic games like tug-o-war, graveyard relay, and new games like air time (mattress game), 3 headed relay.
In the end the class with the most spirit points earned from games and quick hitters will be crowned most spirited.
Sadie Hawkins Dance
The Sadie Hawkins Dance is Friday, February 7th @ Dimond in the Old Gym from 7pm-10 pm, you must bring your Student ID to get in. You must also be in the dance no later than 8:30pm or you will not be allowed in.
Guest Pass forms (to bring a student from another school) are due February 7th at 3:30 pm to the activities office, No exceptions will be given.
Tickets will also be sold at lunch the week of the dance for $10 CASH ONLY from CONCESSIONS
Dimond Students only & guest passes. Tickets WILL NOT be sold at the door.
Dress is semi-formal attire (ex. slacks, button-up shirts, and a tie; appropriate dresses that follow the dress code--no cleavage, no super short dresses or you’ll be sent home, no questions asked) No Hats or Sunglasses.
Dance expectations include: no sexual or inappropriate dancing, no bending over--this is your warning you will not get one at the dance. No drugs or alcohol are allowed; if you can’t follow this rule, DON’T COME. Don’t jeopardize our upcoming dances by not following expectations.
Academies Of Dimond
Exciting Pathway Opportunities for the 2025-26 School Year!
Is your student ready to explore their passions and prepare for a bright future? At Dimond High School, we’re proud to offer Pathway Courses designed to give students hands-on experience in high-demand fields. Encourage your child to enroll in one of these exciting pathways for the 2025-26 school year:
🔹 Computer Science & IT – Learn coding, cybersecurity, and tech problem-solving skills essential for the digital age.
🌿 Natural Resources & Environmental Management – Dive into sustainability, conservation, and environmental science to help shape a greener future.
⚙️ Engineering – Explore innovation, design, and problem-solving through real-world engineering challenges.
❤️ Health Sciences – Discover medical careers, gain healthcare knowledge, and develop skills for a future in the medical field.
These courses provide valuable career exploration, hands-on projects, and potential industry certifications. Don’t miss this opportunity for your student to gain real-world skills and a head start on their future!
For more information, contact your student's counselor or the Academy Coach, Tony Lewis.
Dimond High School – Empowering Future Leaders!
School Calendar
January 29th: PTSA Meeting at 6PM in the Library
February 3rd-7th: Spirit Week (More Details to follow)
February 3rd-7th: Spirit Olympics Week and Sadie Hawkins Dance
February 17th: No School- Presidents Day Holiday
February 28th: No School- Student Released Professional Development Day
March 7th: No School- Student Released Grading Day
March 10th-March 14: No School- Spring Break
March 19th: Freshmen Fair
DHS Sports
Grades Matter! Academic Eligibility for Sports and Activities:
Students participating in sports or all-state academic/ fine arts activities must remain academically eligible. Eligibility is checked at the beginning of the 1st and 2nd semesters, as well as the beginning of the 2nd and 3rd quarters. ASD VIRTUAL STUDENTS be aware that although virtual courses are self-paced, a quarter grade will be given based on your work completed during the grading period. This grade counts towards your academic eligibility. Students who are not eligible will not be able to participate in their sport or activity.Career Resource Office
Career Resource Office
Our Dimond Career Resource Center is run by Mrs. Lauwers and is open on Tuesdays and Fridays or afterschool by appointment only. She is here to help you with anything related to college applications, scholarships or life after high school. If you would like to speak to her and she is not in her office her email is lauwers_kimberly@asdk12.org.
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Completion Assistance
The Alaska Center for Postsecondary Education (ACPE) is hosting workshops for parents and students who need assistance completing the FAFSA on Wednesdays. Please visit their website for more information.
For more information about the FAFSA, visit their website.
PTSA
Urgent Call for PTSA Board Members and Volunteers for the Dimond High School PTSA
The Dimond PTSA is in urgent need of volunteers to fill all board member roles. Unfortunately without new volunteers the PTSA is in jeopardy of dissolving. These positions are currently held by parents whose students graduated in May, and we are ready to pass these responsibilities to current Dimond parents.
We understand time is valuable, and these roles do not require extensive hours—just a small but meaningful commitment to help support our school community.
If you’re interested in any of these positions, or would like more information, please reach out to us at DimondPtsaboard@gmail.com or send us a message on Facebook.
Parent volunteers are a vital part of keeping the Lynx Lair open daily. It is currently only operated 1-3 days a week. Student’s flock to the Lynx Lair when it's open to purchase snacks, smoothies and coffee. The Lynx Lair is a major revenue generator for the PTSA. Without being fully open daily we lose sales that go back to our students and staff through grants. 10+ Staff and student grants are awarded every year to help within the classroom or with extracurricular activities.
Reflection Art Contest
PTSA sponsors an art contest each year to honor several mediums within fine arts. Please check the PTSA website for entry details. Contest submissions must be turned in by February 14th.
News From Last Weeks Newsletter
ASVAB
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a standardized test that helps determine a person's suitability for military or career services
What does the ASVAB measure?
Aptitude: The ASVAB measures a person's aptitude in four domains: verbal, math, science and technical, and spatial
Strengths: The ASVAB helps identify a person's strengths and potential
Learning propensity: The ASVAB evaluates a person's propensity to learn different subject areas
We will be holding the ASVAB test on the morning of Thursday, January 30th in room G110. The sign up sheet is on the Career Resource Center door. Don’t forget it’s also free!
Math Tutoring
It’s never too early in the semester to start going to math tutoring. Math tutoring is held after school in Mr. Beatties room B108. Its highly encouraged that you bring notes you may have taken in class and past assignments.
Chromebook Audit
The district is conducting the first chromebook audit since the pandemic. It is a big task to inventory devices for a district this size correctly. We need help from families to bring in any ASD chromebooks in the home, no matter what the condition of the device. This audit is not about assigning fines, but rather a way to make sure we are using our district resources effectively. You may drop off any chromebooks at the front office at any time during the school day. We appreciate your assistance! In a few weeks, devices will be locked if the user logging in doesn’t match the person the device was checked out to. Keep an eye out for further information, but for now, we are just asking for all old, broken or unused chromebook devices to be returned to the schools.
GIFTED MENTORSHIP PROGRAM:
Applications for the 2025/26 Gifted Mentorship Program open on February 1, 2025
(Open to eligible and interested current sophomores and juniors.)
There will be two informational ZOOM sessions for interested students and parents.
February 11 at 4pm
February 13 at 6pm.
ZOOM links and more information are available on the ASD Gifted Mentorship page:
Seniors
A.J. Dimond High School
Website: https://www.asdk12.org/dimond
Location: 2909 West 88th Avenue, Anchorage, AK, USA
Phone: (907) 742-7000